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Clean and dry your dispenser prior to filling with detergent.
Use only fresh detergent.
Do not place anything ie. cookie sheets, cutting boards in the path of the water obstructing the dispenser.
Do not allow anything to fall between the racks and stop the spray arms from turning.
Always turn the hot water on at the sink prior to starting you dishwasher they use less than 2 gallonsof water in the initial cycle and they require 120 deg f water. Unless you have hot water recirculation in your home.
If you have low water volume or low water pressure due to bad impellor or windings in circulation pump. The water volume or pressure will be insuficient to reach the dispenser.

I believe that the instructions for using these 3-in-1 tablets is to place it in the open dish detergent cup, rather than in the closable compartment, since the tablet needs to get doused by a lot of water in oder to fully dissolve and be effective in getting the dishes clean.

Since the tablets are designed to dissolve more slowly, they are able to be used for the entire range of washing cycles. If it's a constant problem and you don's have an open detergent cup below or next to your closed detergent dispenser, just toss it into the bottom of the dishwasher instead.

The reason that the tablet isn't getting dissolved fully is because the door is preventing the tablet from dropping all the way out and the door is shielding the tablet from quite a bit of water spray.

Another option is to take a look at your owners manual for the dishwasher and see if they recommend these all-in-one tablets versus regular powered detergent and liquid rinse aid.

An automatic dishwasher
detergent dispenser door can become stuck for a few different reasons.
Some problems are easy to fix, while some require more work. Repairs
are basically the same no matter what brand of automatic dishwasher you
have, although specific parts might be required. Fortunately, even if
the detergent dispenser needs to be replaced, the problem is not an
emergency. The dishwasher will clean dishes fine even with a stuck
detergent dispenser.
Fixing a Stuck Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Dispenser

Step 1
Move
the basket that holds silverware as far from the detergent dispenser as
possible, or make sure no tall items are blocking the dispenser. Also,
keep other items such as plates and pans away from the dispenser.
Anything that winds up touching the dispenser during the wash cycle can
cause the dispenser door to stay closed. Run the dishwasher to see if
this solves the problem.

Step 2
Remove
the front door panel according to your instruction manual, or find the
manufacturer's instructions online, which will probably be in a PDF
file. The panel is typically held on by 6 to 8 screws along the edge,
which you can see when the door is open. With most models, you won't
need to remove the screws at the bottom of the door, which are part of
the hinge assembly.

Step 3
Clean
the detergent dispenser thoroughly from the inside of the dishwasher
and the exterior side as well. Accumulated detergent and other material
can interfere with the spring mechanism or halt the pivot action of the
door. Use very hot water and a micro-sized brush. You also can use a
mix of hot water and vinegar.

Step 4
Most
dispensers have a bimetallic strip or switch, attached by screws, which
triggers the door release. With the front door panel removed, locate
the switch, and push on it gently with a screwdriver until the
dispenser door opens. You might simply need to adjust the alignment of
the switch.

Step 5
Purchase
a new switch if re-aligning the old one does not fix the problem.
Typically, these switches cost under $10. See Resources for a link to
different manufacturers where you can buy the part.

Step 6
Label
the two wires connected to the switch so you can correctly reconnect
them afterward, and then remove them from the terminals by holding the
slip-on connectors --- not the wires --- and pulling firmly. Use a pair
of needle-nosed pliers for a better grip. Then remove the switch from
the dispenser by removing the screws holding it in place. Connect the
wires to the terminals of the new switch, and attach the new switch to
the detergent dispenser. Replace the door panel.

Step 7
Run
the dishwasher again to see if the switch replacement has done the
trick. If not, decide whether to replace the entire dispenser according
to the manufacturer's instructions, or call a repair technician.

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Related Questions:

Also, if you are using dry detergent (that is not pre-measured in pods, etc.), you may be overfilling the detergent dispenser. When the dry detergent gets wet, it swells and causes the detergent dispenser door to stick.

assuming you are using the correct dishwasher detergent type and quantity recommended for the dishwasher, the likely cause for detergent not dissolving is that the water is not circulating well enough through the wash arm. Check the wash arms are clean. Do dishes come out clean? Run the dishwasher with a cup correct side up on the top rack. If it is empty at end of wash then there is no water in the top arm.

Is the detergent dispenser door open during wash cycle?
Also lack of adequate wash water template can cause detergent to remain undesolved. Hope this helps.

Was the dispenser cup wet when you added detergent?
Make sure the dispenser cup is dry before adding powdered detergent. If dispenser cup is wet, the detergent can clump.
Is the cycle incomplete?
If the previous cycle did not complete, the detergent can become caked in the dispenser cup if it is left sitting in the dishwasher.
Is the detergent old?
Older detergent exposed to air will clump and not dissolve well, which will cause the dispenser door to stick to the detergent. Replace detergent if necessary and store the detergent in a tightly closed container in a cool dry place.
Is the water temperature too low?
For best washing and drying results, water should be 120oF (49o C) as it enters the dishwasher.
Were items blocking the dispenser that kept it from opening?
Items blocking the detergent dispenser will keep it from opening. Make sure water action can reach the dispenser.
Detergent guidelines

Use automatic dishwashing detergent only.

Other detergents can produce excessive suds that can overflow out of the dishwasher and reduce washing performance.

Store tightly closed detergent in a cool, dry place.

Fresh automatic dishwasher detergent results in better cleaning.

Add detergents just before starting the cycle.

The amount of detergent to use depends on the hardness of your water and the type of detergent.

If you use too little, dishes won't be clean.

If you use too much in soft water, glassware will etch.

Suggested fill amounts are for standard powdered detergent. Amounts may vary if you use liquid or concentrated powdered detergent. Follow instructions on the package when using these detergents.

Water hardness can change over a period of time. Find out your water's hardness by asking your local water department, water softener company, or county extension agent.

I believe that the instructions for using these 3-in-1 tablets is to place it in the open dish detergent cup, rather than in the closable compartment, since the tablet needs to get doused by a lot of water in oder to fully dissolve and be effective in getting the dishes clean.

Since the tablets are designed to dissolve more slowly, they are able to be used for the entire range of washing cycles. If it's a constant problem and you don's have an open detergent cup below or next to your closed detergent dispenser, just toss it into the bottom of the dishwasher instead.

The reason that the tablet isn't getting dissolved fully is because the door is preventing the tablet from dropping all the way out and the door is shielding the tablet from quite a bit of water spray.

Another option is to take a look at your owners manual for the dishwasher and see if they recommend these all-in-one tablets versus regular powered detergent and liquid rinse aid.

Maybe that is a bit much... I thought of something else you might check... there is a screen at the bottom of the dishwasher... make sure it is clean so that water can keep recirculating.

The thing about adding water is that if you add the water at the beginning, it is going to circulate for 3 minutes or so and then dump out the water and attempt to refill. Most machines do a couple "rinse off" cycles before the soap dispenser opens and the machine washes the dishes for a long time. So you have to put the water in after you hear the dispenser "pop" open.

I'm not completely sure about the Kitchen Aid, but their might be a way to adjust the time that the water inlet valve stays open at the beginning of the cycle... you'll have to check your manual.

Try reversing the bottom dish rack, it's likely blocking the dispenser door because it's put in the dishwasher incorrectly. Also check if there is anything in the back of the rack preventing it from going all the way in.

Hi and wlecome...You should not use anything other than powered dishwasher detergent in these products. They are not designed for tablet-style detergents. The reason is because the dispenser does not "open" during the wash cycle like you would see on a conventional dishwaser. The incoming water pours over the detergent and releases the mixture out the bottom of the dispenser. If you need a user guide, you can get one here: http://fisherpaykelparts.net/index.php?blockitemid=29

It sound like a detergent cup issue (the door doesn't open at time)
A very simple test for it is to place a tablet on the bottom of the dishwasher for a full cycle and to see what happen to the tablet. In case the tablet will be dissolved :
- The detergent cup can become clogged with old dried detergent that prevents it from opening at time. Sometimes just cleaning the cup takes care of the problem.
- The detergent cup opened by a bi-metal switch or a wax motor located inside your dishwasher door(behind the detergent cup).
If cup's cleaning will not solve the problem, you should replace the bi-metal switch or the wax motor (depend which of them is used in your machine).
Good luck !